SACRAMENTO – The Environmental Working Group today praised the California Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee for advancing Senate Bill 868 by a unanimous 12‑0 vote. The bill would allow Californians to install small, portable “balcony solar” systems in apartments, condos, and single-family homes.
Known as the Plug and Play Solar Act, SB 868 is authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and sponsored by EWG and The Abundance Network.
“Imagine plugging an appliance into a standard wall outlet and instantly lowering your electricity bill,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, EWG senior vice president for California.
“That’s exactly what balcony solar offers. You place a solar panel on a sunny balcony or patio, connect it to an inverter, plug it in, and start saving. No construction. No complicated installation. And if you move, you can take it with you,” she said.
A single 400-watt balcony solar system can cover roughly 14% of the average apartment’s electricity usage, saving around $250 per year. While the cost of balcony solar starts around $500 today, with broader adoption enabled by SB 868, EWG expects costs to fall further, making solar even more accessible to renters and low-income households.
California electricity rates have nearly doubled over the past decade, leaving the state with the nation’s second-highest energy prices. SB 868 provides consumers with a straightforward way to take control of their energy bills.
The bill ensures that these plug-and-play systems meet strict safety standards. All systems must be certified by UL, or Underwriters Laboratories, the global independent safety science company, or an equivalent national testing lab and automatically shut off within seconds if the grid goes down, protecting utility workers and preventing electrical hazards.
System size is capped at 1,200 watts, enough to power everyday appliances like fridges, lights, Wi-Fi routers, or a window AC unit.
Balcony solar is already thriving in Europe, with over 4 million systems installed in Germany alone. But in California, regulatory barriers have kept this technology out of reach for many. SB 868 removes those barriers while establishing statewide safety standards that do not currently exist.
“This committee will consider many measures to make energy more affordable this year,” Del Chiaro said. “But none are as simple, tangible and consumer friendly as letting Californians literally plug into the sun.
SB 868 is a commonsense, safety-conscious step forward that puts clean energy directly into people’s hands, so they spend less of their hard-earned money on electricity,” she added.
Lawmakers in more than half the country are exploring similar initiatives. In Virginia, the legislature approved a balcony solar bill earlier this month, and Gov. Abigail Spanberger has committed to signing it into law.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
